Job description

Defence & National Security Sector | Melbourne | 12-Month Contract + Extension Option Your new company Hays Defence Technology is seeking an experienced AI Behaviour Developer / Autonomous Systems Engineer to join a high-profile Defence research and capability development program through consultancy engagement. This is an opportunity to contribute to the development of next-generation autonomous systems and electronic warfare simulation capabilities, working within a multidisciplinary team focused on advanced modelling, human-autonomy teaming, AI decision-making, and mission simulation. Your new role You will be responsible for developing and enhancing autonomous agent behaviours within an established modelling and simulation environment used to support Defence capability research and experimentation. Working alongside specialists in software engineering, data analytics, human factors, systems integration, and simulation, you will play a key role in designing, implementing, testing and validating autonomous behaviours for teams of platforms operating in complex simulated environments. What you'll need to succeed

Develop and enhance autonomous agent behaviours and decision-making models
Design and implement behaviour trees, BDI architectures, state machines, or similar autonomy frameworks
Develop software components using Python, C++, or related programming languages
Integrate autonomous behaviours into existing simulation and mission-planning environments
Support autonomous mission execution, task allocation and multi-platform coordination
Conduct testing, validation and quality assurance activities
Develop technical documentation and contribute to knowledge transfer activities
Participate in collaborative research activities with domestic and international stakeholders

  What you'll get in return     

NV1 clearance obtained
Proven experience developing autonomous agent behaviours or AI decision-making systems
Strong knowledge of behaviour trees, BDI models, state machines, planning systems or related autonomy frameworks
Software development experience using Python, C++, or similar languages
Experience designing robust, explainable and verifiable AI behaviours
Strong testing, debugging and validation skills
Ability to work effectively within multidisciplinary technical teams
Excellent communication and documentation skills
Experience working with modelling and simulation environments
Knowledge of autonomous systems, robotics or unmanned platforms
Understanding of aerospace systems, aircraft operations or avionics
Exposure to Electronic Warfare (EW), Electronic Support (ES) or Electronic Attack (EA) concepts
Defence, research, or national security sector experience

  What you need to do now     If you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV to  , or call us now.   If this job isn't quite right for you, but you are looking for a new position, please contact us for a confidential discussion on your career.    Please  click here  to apply.